Travel Tips of what to do in the Maldives

The Maldives are the perfect place for a luxury honeymoon or vacation. Located 400 miles South West of Sri-Lanka they are a group of over 2000 islands ranging just to 2.5 km wide to 150 m. Only 200 of them are actually inhabited and most of those hold resorts. The average temperatures range from 29 – 31 degrees centigrade and with its clear water, sandy beaches, palm trees and sunny climate, it really is a little piece of heaven. 

Sold? Of course you are, who wouldn’t be? Now what to do whilst you are there:

1.     Explore Male the smallest city, but also the capital of the Maldives. Here you will find museums and mosques of which Hukuru Miskiiy is the oldest. There is also a national art gallery, national stadium and Sultans park.

2.     Dive the banana reef which is a protected marine area with caves, overhangs and dramatic cliff lines. Fish to be seen there include the groper, barracuda, moray, jackfish, snapper and more. It also has a beautiful range of coral growth.

3.     Eat out, the food is beyond delicious and incredibly fresh. You can also eat outdoors in many places.

4.     Ride the whale submarine which takes you along the bottom of the ocean reef. Ideal for those who can’t or don’t want to scuba dive. There are several departures daily but booking is recommended. 

5.     Go fishing on one of the package deals that most hotels offer. There are plenty of big fish out there to catch and you can even go at night.

6.     Dive the wreck of the Maldive Victory which sank in 1981. Found at 115 feet below sea level it is nearly entirely intact and home to corals, sponges, tubastrea and a variety of fish. It is however a dive more suited to the experienced especially since there are strong currents in the area.

7.     Retreat to Bathala Island which is located north of Ari Atoll. It only takes 90 minutes by speedboat from the airport or 20 minutes by seaplane to get there and is small and intimate. To walk the entire perimeter of this island will only take you ten minutes.

8.     Take a Spa day and pamper yourself with massages, mud packs, manicures and pedicures in sheer luxury.

9.     Explore the Fish Head known to the locals as Mushimasmingali Thila. This is a beautiful dive sight where you will see grey reef sharks, fusiliers, barracudas, anemones, sea fans and black coral in abundance.

110.                         Water sports are a popular activity in the Maldives. You can go water skiing, parasailing, banana boating and surfing. The best waves are in June to August but surfing is possible March to October. The most popular place to surf is the Atoll of Male.

111.                         Nightlife in the Maldives is very limited with alcohol been banned amongst the local population. Hotels and resorts however will have bars but you are unlikely to find them anywhere else. Live music is available but not in abundance.

Other activities you may wish to participate in include shopping at the STO trade centre where an abundance of fresh produce is available. Or why not try the many snacks available everywhere such as fish hedhikaa, stuffed pastries and fish rolls. And for those who like culture there is always the National Museum in Male. It is a small museum that opened in 1952 but it holds many historical items once belonging to Kings and Queens.